We live among friends and foes. There are those who are
fond of us and are very affectionate, and there are others who
are jealous of us and conspire to make us sink in life. Some
of these foes are covert while some can be easily identified.
We really feel annoyed and frustrated at their attitude. But
can we turn foes into friends?

The answer can be in the negative and can also be in the
affirmative.

In the negative, if care is not
exercised and we end up responding in a negative way and
become worse foes to our foes than they are to us.

In the affirmative, if our
guideline is the Qur’ānic verse: Retaliate evil with that
which is better, and he who is your foe will become your
dearest friend. But none will acquire this except those who
patiently endure; none will acquire this except those who are
truly fortunate. (41:34-35).

In other words, if with patience
and endurance, perseverance and forbearance we keep on doing
good turns to our foes and adversaries, it can melt their
hearts and turn them into our dearest buddies. Moral victory
is what we should aim for, as this subjugates hearts and
conquers egos. Meeting our foes with a bright smile, extending
out a warm hand to them, greeting them with enthusiasm and
treating them with respect are just some starters of this
journey.

Giving them gifts at opportune moments, hiding their faults
when others want to highlight them, praising their abilities
when others want to play them down, helping them in times of
difficulty when few are there for them are the next steps of
this journey.

While doing our part by adopting
these measures, we must also turn to God and pray for our
foes. We must seek His help and invoke Him to melt their
hearts and make them mend their ways.

And more than that seek His help to realize our own flaws
and mend our own ways.